But now that we had lost all our white cultivators and mechanics, we soon found that the Indians avoided the labour.
All our endeavours proved useless: the advantages had not yet been sufficiently manifest: the transition attempted had been too short; and the good, although proud and lazy, Shoshones abandoned the tillage, and relapsed into their former apathy and indifference.
Mortified at this change, the Prince and my father resolved to make an appeal to the whole nation, and try to convince them how much happier they would be if they would cultivate the ground for their support.

A great feast was given, the calumet was smoked; after which the Prince rose and addressed them after their own fashion.

As I had, a short time previous, been admitted as a chief and warrior, I, of course, was present at the meeting.

The Prince spoke:-- "Do you not want to become the most powerful nation of the West?
You do.
If then such is the case, you must ask assistance from the earth, which is your mother.

True, you have prairies abounding in game, but the squaws and the children cannot follow your path when hunting.
"Are not the Crows, the Bannaxas, the Flat Heads, and the Umbiquas, starving during the winter?
They have no buffalo in their land, and but few deer.